Don was born in Weiser, Idaho to Charles and Melda Olday. He spent his younger years living in Hermosa Beach where his dad built houses and during the summer traveling with his parents in their small trailer in the Pacific North West picking fruit. They eventually settled in the Strathmore/Porterville area where Don attended school and graduated from Porterville High School in 1956. During his high school years he loved being a part of the Porterville High Studio Band. Since he didn't play an instrument, he acted as the "band manager." During high school he also began his firefighting career, working as a volunteer fireman at Doyle Colony Cal Fire Station, riding his bicycle to fires or having his mom drive him. Don met the love of his life, Gail, at her 8th grade graduation in 1954. He pursued Gail throughout her high school years. They were married in 1958 and moved to Fresno, California. Don and Gail were blessed with two children, Elizabeth Diane Olday-O'Brien, and Timothy Charles Olday.

In 1956 and 1957, Don worked as a seasonal firefighter at Porterville Station and at Fountain Springs Station. In April of 1958, Don was hired as a permanent CDF Engineer and assigned to the Piedra Fire Station Northeast of Sanger. In May of 1960, he was promoted to Fire Captain at Piedra Fire Station. In April of 1966, he attended a Fire Communications course and was asked to take over the warehouse in Sanger at Station 4 Headquarters. The position had been vacant for a year, so when he took over, he jumped in full speed ahead. When Don ran the warehouse for roughly ten years, Fresno/Kings was known as having one of the best and most resourceful warehouses in the state. One of the job requirements of this job was to set up a fire camp on wildland fires. He would gather and bring all the food and sheltering supplies. He and his team ran the steam table which provided the chow line to feed all the fire crews. Later, he was also instrumental in setting up contracts with local food vendors to provide hundreds of meals at a moment's notice for smaller fires. Don was heavily involved in the California Department of Forestry Employees Association for many years, holding the State Treasurer position, publishing a monthly newsletter and setting up local area conventions. In 1976, Don was transferred to the Emergency Command Center, which is where he worked the remainder of his career until his retirement in 1989. Firefighters said he was the calm voice coming through the radio – even though he might be juggling five fires and at the same time selling someone a CDF coffee mug – a side venture that he and Gail had selling CDF t-shirts, watches, mugs, etc. He celebrated his retirement at a family picnic in conjunction with long-time co-workers and close buddies, Bob Beilage and Bill Farmer. A few years later, Don returned to Cal Fire as a retired annuitant working in fire cost recovery for several years.

Don had a full and well-lived life. He was the go-to guy who could get things done. Don truly enjoyed helping others with a servant's heart. His joy was seeing those he helped smile, or succeeding in accomplishing the task at hand. He was an active member in the Reedley Elks Lodge. There were adventurous dirt bike and motorcycle rides, hunting trips, deep sea fishing trips, water skiing, and auto repair in the garage. He and Gail had many memorable RV trips to most all Western U.S. states with great friends and/or family. They also enjoyed short trips to the coast and mountains. He loved music, spending time and sharing stories with friends. Many exciting times were spent at the White Deer Ranch and 4 & ½ cow camp on the upper Kings River with the Johnson's – whom he considered family. He would say "You don't have to ride a horse or swing a rope to be a cowboy." At the end of the day he always felt like he had accomplished much, and he was probably covered with dirt, mud, blood, or cow shit – or all of the above! He was just as much of a cowboy (like his grandfather, Ike the Dakota Cowboy and uncle, Ray the Champion Bronc Rider) as the rest of those on horseback. He loved being a part of all the doings of cattle ranch work.

Don never lost his sense of humor through his health issues. His doctors loved him because he always had a candid come-back. The Cal Fire folks in the field always enjoyed his subtle humor, though not explicit, but underlying message like KNF 94, KXY siiiixxxty-niiine. The field would respond back with Saaaaannnnger, Engine #.

Don is survived by Gail, his wife of 61 years; daughter, Liz O'Brien and husband, Bryan of Clovis, CA; son, Tim Olday and wife, Kelly of Clovis, CA; granddaughter, Jill Eveland and husband, Brennan of San Diego, CA; grandson, Jeremy Olday of Coarsegold, CA; and great grandson, Cayde Eveland of San Diego, CA.  He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Connie Olday.

Graveside Services only, will be held at the Centerville Sanger Cemetery on September 29, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. The plot is located in the older section of the cemetery, along the north side. Per our current State Mandates related to Covid-19, the Cemetery can only allow 25 people inside the property. As with the limited quantity allowed, the service will only include family members, clergy, Honor Guard, and requested speakers. Once these designated people have entered the property the gates will be closed and locked until the service has concluded. Others will be required to remain outside the cemetery property. The service is limited to 30 minutes.

Remembrances may be made to Cal Fire Honor Guard at Honor Guard, Cal Fire Local #2881, 1731 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95811 (please note "In Remembrance of Don Olday") or to the donor's favorite charity.

KXY – SIXXXXXTY NINE